Vulnerable people in Dorchester are receiving free food supplies thanks to the tireless work of more than 30 volunteers.

Tesco stores have partnered with the Dorchester Community Church on Liscombe Street in Poundbury to provide free surplus food from its stores as part of the Community Food Connection surplus food scheme.

The scheme involves local Tesco stores and food charity FareShare to make food available as food parcels to people in Dorchester and the surrounding area, ensuring that people don’t go without.

Liz Meech, Food Share administrator at Dorchester Community Church, said: “Last winter we saw an increase from around November time, and with changes to the winter fuel allowance, we're expecting the same pattern this year.

“We work closely with the local Dorchester Food Bank, who provide mostly store cupboard items, and our parcels tend to complement each other.

"We have often benefited from slightly damaged or short dated stock from our local Tesco store, which enables us to provide welcome additions and bonus items to our parcels.

“For example, we have recently been able to provide a box of cereal to every household we are currently supporting, and this has been met with sheer delight on the doorsteps.”

The parcels are delivered to local families and individuals who are finding it difficult to afford fresh food – and can also be collected from the community café at the church on a Wednesday afternoon.

The deliveries consist of fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods and eggs – as well as some bonus items to increase the number of meals that a parcel can provide.

Parcels are initially delivered for a 12-week period after people are referred to the food bank, although this can be extended in some cases.

Liz added: “We provide an average of between 80 and 120 parcels each week – typically to 200 to 300 recipients.  We estimate we have delivered over 23,500 parcels since start up in 2017, and our busiest week saw 160 deliveries.”

The Community Food Connection scheme ensures that surplus food from Tesco is given to charities and community groups, whose volunteer members then distribute it to the public. 

Claire De Silva, Tesco head of community, said: “Working with community groups such as Dorchester Community Church to help them get the food local people need is such an important service for us to be able to provide. The dedication they have to their community is amazing, and we are pleased to do what we can to support.

“We firmly believe no good food should go to waste, which is why we began our Community Food Connection scheme. It enables us to ensure our surplus food is put to good use in communities.”

Charities and community groups that could benefit from the support of the Community Food Connection scheme can find further information at https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/